Hi everyone,
Many of you may be curious about the requirements and processes of becoming a certified CADS ski or snowboard instructor. What follows is the direction from the National Technical Committee that was in effect at the time of this post.
If you want more information, please feel free to contact me.
Al McLarty, CSIA II CADS III Course Conductor II
(613) 762-7642
Email: training@cads-pakenham.org
Training and Scheduling Coordinator, Mount Pakenham Adaptive Snowsports Program
The CADS Certification Pathway
Certification FAQs
Q 1: How do I register for a CADS Prep Session or CADS Evaluation (Module or Complete Certification)?
A1: Your options:
- Go to the CADS website home page and click the “List of up-coming events” button. This takes you to the CADS online store. If your program or division pays the cost of certification, there will be an option in the payment area to indicate this.
- If you live in BC, click www.bcadaptive.com
- Register through your local zone or division.
NOTE: You MUST be a current CADS member AND meet the required prerequisites PRIOR to taking a CADS Evaluation.
Q 2: How do I find out where CADS Certifications are being offered in my area?
A2: You have two options:
- Go to the CADS website home page and click the “List of up-coming events” button. This takes you to the CADS online store.
- Contact your local zone or division.
NOTE: Certification information will be added as National Office receives it.
Q 3: What is the process for setting up CADS Certification and where do I find the information?
A3: Go to the CADS website Resource Tab -> Forms & Documents page. You will find a CADS Certification Form. Or You can find the CADS Certification Form (ski and Snowboard) in the Course Conductor package in the Course Registration folder.
- A CADS Program or CADS Division must complete the CADS Certification Request Form and submit it to National Office.
- Professional Paid Snowsport Schools must also fill out a CADS Certification Request Form and submit it to National Office.
- National Office will create a new event and setup online registration through the CADS website.
- Participant Registration will close five business days before the start of the certification. National Office will provide a full list of registrants, including their contact info and current level of certification to the Course Conductor prior to the event.
NOTE: If you live in BC, click www.bcadaptive.com
Q 4: How much does it cost to take a CADS Certification Evaluation?
A4: CADS National is charging for CADS Division and CADS Programs:
- $50 per CADS Complete Evaluation ($25 for a re-test)
- $20 per CADS Module Evaluation ($10 for a re-test)
CADS Divisions and Programs may charge an additional administration fee on top of this. Each certification fee will be listed with the specific certification information on the CADS website.
If you are a Professional Paid Snowsport School different fees apply. Please visit the CADS Website for Certification request information.
NOTE: Current certified level 1, 2 & 2A instructors should see Q6 below.
Q 5: Do I need to take all the Modules, if I’m only interested in teaching a specific discipline?
A5: No. The module process allows you to focus on your area of interest.
However, we encourage all instructors to take the complete CADS Certification. Exposure to all aspects of adaptive methodology will ensure that you have a stronger grasp of the key concepts in instruction for adaptive snow sports. Even if your focus is on students within a specific discipline, the skills learned in other modules will make you a more capable and confident Instructor.Page Break
Q 6: What if I already have previous CADS Instructor Certification?
A6: If your certification was obtained prior to 2015, you will retain your certification. However, it is recommended to update your skills and knowledge to meet current CADS standards.
If you want to obtain your next level of Certification, you will need to complete any missing modules at your current level prior to taking the next Level.
Should you decide not to update your current Certification Level and want it to remain highlighted in the National Instructor list you should be aware that not having all completed modules would prevent you from attaining a higher level of Certification until the upgrade are completed.
Q 7: What modules do I need to take to update my old CADS certification (Prior to 2015)?
A7: If you are:
Old CADS Level 1: required to obtain Level 1 ASD/CI and Sitski module => Current Level 1 complete certification.
Old CADS Level 2: required to obtain Level 2 ASD/CI and Sitski module => Current Level 2 complete certification.
Old CADS Level 2A: required to obtain Level 2 ASD/CI module => Current Level 2 complete certification.
However, due to the changes in the CADS standards it is recommended to challenge the complete certification at your current level prior to moving forward to the next level.
Q 8: Who can run a Prep-Session or Evaluation?
A8: For all Modules and Complete Certification
Level 1: Current CADS Level 1 or 2 Course Conductor, Level 4 or Level 4 examiner.
Level 2: Current CADS Level 2 Course Conductor, Level 4 or Level 4 examiner.
Level 3: Current CADS Level 4 or Level 4 examiner.
Course Conductor: Current CADS Level 4 or Level 4 examiner.
A full listing of Course Conductors is available on the CADS website.
Q 9: How do I become a CADS Course Conductor?
A9: You first need to complete your CADS Level 3 Certification, and then successfully complete the CADS Course Conductor Evaluation, which is held at Pre-Course in the fall.
Q 10: Who can conduct the CSIA training that is the pre-requisite for CADS Certification?
A10: A current Level 3 CSIA Instructor (or higher) can deliver this training session. If there are no CSIA Level 3s available in your area, then a current up to date Level 2 CSIA may deliver the training, based on the current CADS Ski Teaching Methodology document. If either of these options are not available, please contact your division.
Q 11: As a CADS Course Conductor without CSIA or CASI certification or formal training, how will I assess the CSIA or CASI component of the candidates during the CADS Level 1 or 2 Certification?
A11: CADS Course Conductors will receive training at pre-course to address how to assess instructors in the CSIA or CASI components of certification.
It is also strongly suggested that all CADS Course Conductors visit the CSIA or CASI websites where there is a collection of information to assist CADS Course Conductors.
Pursuing CSIA or CASI certifications is strongly recommended for personal development.
If a CADS Level 4 Examiner is in the area, is available, you may ask for assistance.
Q 12: What if a candidate does not Meet Expectations for the evaluation?
A12: A result of “Needs Improvement”, requires the candidate to retake the evaluation at a later date.
The cost for retaking a CADS evaluation is half the regular cost.
Q 13: How are CSIA or CASI Pre-requisites being tracked?
A13: CSIA or CASI methodology is the basis of all CADS teaching and it is critical for all instructors to have a strong understanding of one or both. Local Programs and Divisions are responsible for ensuring that the pre-requisite CSIA or CASI session is completed and tracked.
The CSIA material to be covered in the CADS Ski Teaching Methodology – Reference Guide. This can be found on the CADS website.
Q14: Can a candidate take a specific discipline within a Complete Evaluation that is being offered? Or does the discipline have to be taken as a Module to be certified for that discipline?
A14: No, participating in only a specific discipline of the evaluation will not be sufficient enough to become certified in that module.
Take a module to become a VI, Sitski, Outriggers (3&4Track) or ASD/CI Certified Instructor at Level 1 or 2 in that discipline.
e.g. Ski Level 1 3&4 Track Certified Instructor, Snowboard Level 1 Outrigger Certified Instructor
Take a complete evaluation to become a certified CADS Level 1 or 2.
The time spent (on snow/indoors) and the knowledge delivered to a candidate while taking a Module is more in depth than that provided during a Complete Evaluation. For this reason, completing a discipline during the Complete Evaluation is not sufficient enough to become certified in that discipline.
Q 15: What if a certified instructor lapses their membership for a year or longer?
A15: The individual returns with the previous level of certification they had when they stopped paying their membership. It is recommended to up-date training. If the instructor’s certification was obtained prior to 2015, refer to Question 7.
Q 16: What is a crossover certification?
A16: This a process by which a current certified instructor may become certified on a different platform from which the original certification was obtained. I.e. a CADS Certified Ski Instructor becomes a CADS Certified Snowboard Instructor and vice versa.
Source: CADS National Technical Committee